Armorial of British universities
The armorial of British universities is the collection of coats of arms of universities in the United Kingdom. Modern arms of universities began appearing in England around the middle of the 15th century, with Oxford's being possibly the oldest university arms in the world, being adopted around the end of the 14th century. The earliest granting of university arms was to King's College Cambridge by Henry VI in 1449. Arms are granted in respect of England, Wales and Northern Ireland by the College of Arms and, for Scotland, by the Lyon Court. It has been suggested that new universities register arms in an attempt to appear more traditional or legitimate. As corporations, older university arms have historically been granted without a crest, however newer institutions use crests with mantling, including new colleges at older universities. The first crest granted to a university was to Leeds in 1905 while the first British university to be granted supporters was Sussex in 1962, although both Oxford and Cambridge have used angels as supporters and Cambridge has used the 'alma mater' emblem as a crest without these components being officially granted.
University and college arms often incorporate, or are simply copies of, arms of their founders or local authorities. At collegiate universities, constituent colleges may bear their own arms, such as at Cambridge and Oxford. Many older coats of arms were recorded by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies in The Book of Public Arms in 1915, which also recorded some coats of arms of constituent colleges, and by John Woodward in A Treatise on Ecclesiastical Heraldry in 1894. Most university mottos are not granted with the coats of arms, instead being added by custom by the institution, an exception to this being the arms of Imperial College London. Those universities in Ireland that existed prior to independence from the United Kingdom were granted arms along the lines of other British universities; these are listed separately below.
An open book as a symbol of 'wisdom', 'knowledge' or 'learning' is common to many arms. The Sun, a flaming torch or a lamp representing enlightenment features often, as do a wheatsheaf symbolising growth and an owl representing wisdom. A martlet, representing strenuous effort, is sometimes found. Keys in the form of crossed keys, pairs of keys or a single key held by a beast are also common to several university arms. The keys represent access to heaven and symbolically the access to greater things in this world brought about through education.
Most British universities have a coat of arms, but some universities, particularly former schools of art or design, are not armigerous. These include Arden University, Arts University Bournemouth, Arts University Plymouth, Bath Spa University, BPP University, Leeds Arts University, Norwich University of the Arts, Oxford Brookes University, Regent's University London, University of Bedfordshire, University of Brighton, University College London, Ravensbourne University London, University of Roehampton and the University of West London.
The images below may either be the coat of arms in the form of a shield or the 'full heraldic achievement', as granted by the College of Arms or the Lyon Court. Some arms may be assumed arms, if they are often taken from a founder or benefactor, particularly in the case of colleges and halls within universities.
Arms of constituent institutions
Other constituent institutions
| Arms | College | Full Achievement |
| New College, University of Edinburgh, granted 3 June 2021 Escutcheon: Crest: Motto: Quaerite et invenietis. | - | |
| County College, University of Lancaster, granted 30 September 1969 Escutcheon: Gules, on three piles, two from the chief and one from the base, Or three roses gules, barbed and seeded proper; over all a chevron azure, and on a chief azure a lion passant Or. Crest: On a wreath Or and gules, Issuant from an ancient crown azure a bezant between two oak leaves proper. Motto: Sint consilio nihil. | - | |
| Fylde College, University of Lancaster, granted 1981 Escutcheon: Vert the Sails of a Windmill saltirewise Or on a Chief indented of the last a Rose Gules barbed and seeded proper between two Fountains. Crest: Out of a Coronet of four Cinquefoils set on a Rim Argent a dexter Arm in Armour embowed proper the hand gauntleted also proper and pendant therefrom a Buglehorn Sable stringed and garnised Or. Motto: Gaudeat ager. | ||
| Hulme Hall, University of Manchester Escutcheon: Barry of eight, Or and Azure, on a canton Argent, a chaplet Gules proper. Crest: A lion's head coupled Gules on a cap of maintenance upon the helmet of a gentleman. Motto: Fide Sed Cui Vide The arms used by Hulme Hall are those of William Hulme, who founded the Hulme Trust in 1691, which later provided significant financial aid to Hulme Hall. | ||
| St. Anselm Hall, University of Manchester Escutcheon: Crest: Motto: Credo Ut Intelligam The attributed arms of St. Anselm. The hall has formerly displayed these arms with a bishop's mitre placed above the shield. | ||
| Woolton Hall, University of Manchester Escutcheon: Sable on a Bend engrailed between two Garbs Or a Rose Gules barbed and seeded proper between two Lions rampant of the field Crest: Suspended from and between the Antlers of a stag a Stirrup and Leather proper Supporters: On either side a Lion rampant Or gorged with a Riband Azure pendent therefrom by a Chain also Or an Escutcheon Azure charged with a Liver Bird Argent Motto: Fortitudine Virtute Dabitur The arms of Frederick Marquis, 1st Earl of Woolton, Chancellor of the University of Manchester in 1959 when Woolton Hall was established. The arms can be seen around the hall in stonework and stained glass, and are displayed without crest or supporters but with the coronet of an Earl above. | ||
| Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham, granted c.1902, carried forward in 1947 when the former Midland Agricultural College became a college under the University of Nottingham. Escutcheon: Argent a chevron Vert charged with a book Or and proper between two garbs Or, set between three cows Gules. Crest: Motto: Aras Seris Metis | - | |
| Southlands College, University of Roehampton, granted 12 February 1968 Escutcheon: Azure, on a chevron cotised between in chief two fleurs-de-lys and in base a lamp Or inflamed proper, three escallops gules. Crest: On a wreath of the colours, In front of a demi sun Or a pelican in her piety proper. Motto: Light, love, life | ||
| Digby Stuart College, University of Roehampton, assumed at an unknown date. Escutcheon: Crest: Motto: The Utmost for the Highest | ||
| St Leonard's College, University of St Andrews Escutcheon: Crest: Motto: | ||
| St Mary's College, University of St Andrews Escutcheon: Crest: Motto: In principio erat verbum | ||
| United College of St Salvator and St Leonard, University of St Andrews Escutcheon: Crest: Motto: | ||
| School of Pharmacy, University College London, granted March 1950 Escutcheon: Argent, on a bend azure between two mortars, in each a pestle proper, a rod of Aesculapius Or; on a chief of the second a Tudor rose radiated between two open books also proper, edge and clasped or. Crest: On a wreath of the colours, In front of a foxglove leaved and flowered, two poppy boles stalked and leaved in saltire, all proper. Motto: Salutifer Orbi The blue chief, the Tudor rose and the books are from the arms of the University of London. The pestle and mortars and the rod of Aesculapius are symbols of pharmacy and medicine. | ||
| London College of Music, University of West London, granted 23 December 1944 Escutcheon: Azure on a pale Argent between two harps Or stringed of the second a sword Gules. Crest: On a wreath of the colours five trumpets in pile Or enfiled with a riband Azure. Supporters: On either side a swan rousant Proper charged on the wing with a harp Azure. Motto: Persevere |
Former universities
Universities formerly within the United Kingdom
| Arms | University |
| Dublin, granted 28 March 1862 by Sir John Bernard Burke, Ulster King of Arms Escutcheon: Quarterly Azure and Ermine in the first quarter a book open Proper bound Gules clasped Or and in the fourth quarter a castle of two towers Argent flammant Proper over all in the centre point the harp of Ireland ensigned with the royal crown. The university was established in 1592 by a charter issued by Queen Elizabeth I. It is the degree awarding body for Trinity College Dublin. The harp is a symbol of Ireland. The crown represents Queen Elizabeth I and the book/bible learning and the Christian faith. The castle is taken from the arms of the city of Dublin. | |
| Ireland (National), granted 7 May 1912 by Nevile Wilkinson, Ulster King of Arms. Escutcheon: Vert a harp Or with seven strings Argent in chief a five-pointed star of the second charged with a trefoil of the field. Mottoes: Veritati and Fir Fer The constituent colleges of the federal National University of Ireland are since Irish independence located within the republic of Ireland. The harp is a symbol of Ireland. The star represents enlightenment and it is adorned by a shamrock another Irish symbol. The background colour is green linking to Ireland and the shamrock. |
Former constituent institutions
| Arms | College | - |
| Armstrong College, Durham Escutcheon: Argent, a cross pattée, quadrat in the centre gules, on a chief of the last three towers of the first, all within a bordure compony of the second and or, on a canton the arms of Baron Armstrong. Crest: A tower, thereon a beacon fired all proper Motto Mens agitat molem | - | |
| The College of the Venerable Bede, Durham granted 31 May 1957 Escutcheon: Argent, an ancient Northumbrian cross gules a chief azure thereon between two lions rampant or a pale gold charged with a cross patonce also azure. | ||
| Bedford College, London, granted 13 August 1913 Escutcheon: Argent, between two flaunches paly bendy Or and sable a cross patee throughout gules voided of the field surmounted by an open book of the second; on a chief of the third, an antique lamp gold enflamed proper. | - | |
| Bishop Cosin's Hall, Durham Escutcheon: Azure, a fret or. | - | |
| Bull College, Cambridge Escutcheon: Temporary 'college' for US Army GIs, at the Bull Hotel, Cambridge. The shield, designed by Al Kohler, combined US and UK flags, the University of Cambridge arms, a bull's head and an American eagle bearing a shield. | - | |
| Charing Cross Hospital Medical School, granted 4 September 1934 Escutcheon: Ermine a Maltese cross gules, thereon on a plate fimbriated Or between four fieurs de lys in cross of the last a rod of Aesculapius sable; on a chief gules between two bezants an open book argent, edged and clasps gold, inscribed with the words IN HOC SIGNO VINCES sable. In 1984, CXHMS merged with Westminster Hospital Medical School to form Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School. In 1997 CXWMS merged with Imperial College, London, the National Heart and Lung Institute at the Royal Brompton Hospital, and the Royal Postgraduate Medical School to form Imperial College School of Medicine. | - | |
| Cardinal College, Oxford Escutcheon: Azure, on a cross engrailed argent a lion passant gules between four leopards' faces of the field, in the first quarter a griffon passant supporting a column or, in the second quarter an open book argent leathered gules, garnished or, on a chief of the last a Cardinal's hat of the third, between a torteau charged with two crosses in saltire of the fourth and a key of the second encircled by a crown of the fourth, and a hurt charged with a lion rampant argent, collared of the fourth, and a saltire of the last. | - | |
| Chelsea College, London | - | |
| City, University of London, granted 1 August 1966. New grant 30 March 2009., merged into City St George's in 2024 Escutcheon: Murrey, upon a mount a beacon fired Or; a chief of the Arms of the City of London Crest: On a wreath of the colours, In front of a chaplet of laurel Or a dexter hand couped below the wrist proper, vested murrey, holding a torch enflamed Or. Motto: To serve mankind | ||
| Heythrop College, University of London Motto: Nil Sine Fide | - | |
| Neville's Cross College, Durham Escutcheon: Argent a cross patee quadrate gules on a canton of the second a saltire of the field. Motto: Ne viles The college originally used "a broad white cross on a dark background with intersecting letters NCC over" as their arms. These were changed to conform to the rules of heraldry in 1933 to be printed in the Durham University calendar. | - | |
| Queen Elizabeth College, London Escutcheon: Argent, a cross gules between four blazing hearths proper. | - | |
| Queen Mary College, London Escutcheon: Azure upon three several clouds three ancient imperial, crowns tripled all proper on a chief gules an open book also proper embellished and clasped or and inscribed SOLI DEO HONOR ET GLORIA in letters sable between two mullets also or. | - | |
| Royal Holloway College, London, granted 1 May 1944 Escutcheon: Ermine, on a cross gules another argent, over all in the fesse point an open book proper; on a chief of the second three crescents Or. Motto: Esse quam videri Merged with Bedford College, London 1985 to form Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, with a new coat of arms incorporating elements of both. | - | |
| St Hild's College, Durham Escutcheon: Argent a cross patee quadrate gules on a canton vert an ammonite or. Escutcheon: Purpure three Ammonites in bend between two Cotices in chief a lion rampant supporting a Bourdon and in base a cross formy quadrate Argent Crest: On a wreath of the colours a crozier head or. Motto: Supra Montem Posita | ||
| Trinity University College, Carmarthen. Founded 1848 as the South Wales and Monmouthshire Training College; renamed Trinity College, Carmarthen 1931 and Trinity University College, Carmarthen, 2009. Constituent college of the University of Wales 2004-2010. Became part of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in 2010. Escutcheon: Azure, a penner and ink-horn argent, garnished and tied with a cord Or; on a chief of the last three cinquefoils Sable. Crest: On a wreath Or and Azure, Issuant from a celestial crown Or a demi dragon gules holding two keys addorsed, wards upwards, gold surmounted by a plate charged with a cross cottised also gules thereon an open book proper. . | ||
| University of Durham College of Medicine Escutcheon: Argent, St Cuthbert's cross gules, a chief tierced in pale; the arms of Bishop Hatfield; Or, the rod of Eusclapius in pale proper; Gules, a castle argent. | - | |
| Westfield College, London Escutcheon: Sable, a cross quadrate Or; on a chief of the last an open book proper bound gules between two mascles that on the dexter enclosing a sinister hand couped appaumee, that on the sinister a lion's paw erased, all of the first. Motto: Tolle Lege | - | |
| Wye College, London, adopted from arms of founder John Kemp Escutcheon: Gules, three garbs within a bordure engrailed Or Crest: Motto: Luce et labore | - |
Arms of Student Societies
| Arms | Society | Full Achievement |
| Cambridge University Heraldic and Genealogical Society, granted 30 May 2007 Escutcheon: Or a Cross Pean between four Lions' Faces Gules and conjoined to a Bordure Pean Crest: Upon a Helm with a Wreath Or and Sable A demi-Lion guardant Or supporting with its sinister foot a Book fesswise Argent bound Gules clasped Or and holding in its dexter foot a Crane's Leg a la quise Gules feathered Or Motto: Caeruleus Candidus Vincet | ||
| The Diagnostic Society of Edinburgh, granted 1975 Escutcheon: Crest: Motto: | ||
| Glasgow University Union Escutcheon: Crest: Motto: | ||
| University of St Andrews Students' Association Escutcheon: Crest: Motto: |